Page 122 of Playing My Rivals

Her eyes crawl to mine. “Yes, but?—”

“Jesus Christ, Dori.” I’m about to take her to the doctor right now.

My need to protect her just tripled in two seconds flat.

“I’m just waiting for my period to start and I’ll get back on them as soon as it does.”

“Like that matters.” I search for our new server. “I’m going to pay this bill and then we’re going.”

“Where are we going?”

Hunter comes up from behind me. “I’d like to know the answer to that as well.”

And now I’m fucked.

CHAPTER 29

DORI

“You could have handled that a lot better than you did. You promised me you would try.” I slide my purse onto Hunter’s kitchen counter.

“It’s been all but two hours. He said he would try to make amends with me and the first thing I see when I go to pick you up is him sitting with you. You were alone with him and he was getting ready to bypass me and take you home himself. Forgive me if it’s a little hard to swallow.”

I mosey to the couch near the window that overlooks the city. “Like I told you in the car on the way home, he was there to see Melanie. She left right before you got there. I’m not even sure he knew I was with her.”

“It’s nice to hear you say that.”

“What’s that?” I sit and turn my body so I can see him.

“You called it home. I like hearing you talk like this place is yours.” He glances my way and smiles. “Keep that up and I won’t care where Jamison is.”

“You two promised to be civilized, and I expect you to keep your word. I want us to get to where we can all be around each other again.”

That thought has me rolling my eyes. I can’t believe I’m in this situation. Hunter would kill Jami if he knew I could be pregnant.

I had to agree to come back here with Hunter just to get him to back down at the restaurant. I thought they were going to come to blows right there.

Hunter joins me on the couch. “I promised I would try, but I need some time. It’s hard to go right back to being friends with him. You have to understand that.”

“I understand, but you said you left things on good terms with Jami, so you can’t turn around the next time you see him and go all caveman on him. He’s as triggered as you, so figure it out.”

“Jamison has no right to be as triggered as me. He knows you and I are trying to work this out, which means he needs to give us the space to do that.”

“I hear you, but if you want to work this out with me, you need to get to where we all get along. Jami’s been a big part of my life for a very long time. He’s not going anywhere.” I cringe to myself.

I don’t know how long I can keep this up, but it’s too soon to tell Hunter I need a break so I can figure out my feelings. He’ll lose his shit if I do that right now.

“I understand. You told me he’s a part of your life when you asked me to work it out with him. I’m trying. Can’t you see that?” Hunter shifts closer to me.

“I do, and thank you. I know it’s hard for all of us, but we’ll get through it. We have to because the next phase of the app is coming up. We’re going to be working closely together and I’d prefer it if it were in a calm environment.” I lean against a pillow and spread out.

His eyes shine back at me. “You look so beautiful right now, sprawled out on our couch and making yourself right at home.”

“Only you could find a way to flirt with me while we’re having a tense conversation.”

“I’m done talking about anything that doesn’t have to do with us being together.” He crawls toward me.

My stomach twists, and guilt takes over. I sit up and press my hand in the center of his chest to stop him from lying on top of me.